If Ever

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; 
For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign. 
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; 
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. 

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, 
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree. 
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; 
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. 

I love with this heart you have purchased from sin, 
I love with a mind you've renewed from within, 
With whatever strength you may give from now on, 
My Jesus, I'll love you, my strength and my song.

(a hymn by William Featherston with a new verse (the last) by Bob Hostetler; photo by miroslavkaclik via pixabay.com)